The American Circus Educators (ACE) Conference, a biennial event produced by the American Circus Educators Association, took place this year at Sky Candy in Austin, Texas, from October 7th – 9th. Audrey Spinazola offers us a run-down of the event and spotlights the winners of this year’s ACE Award.

When I walked through the doors of Sky Candy that Thursday night, I was amazed at the welcoming and beautiful space; friendly, helpful faces, colorful walls, and meticulously organized aerial points and equipment. A current resident of Olympia, Washington, I was in Austin, Texas, to assist with the 2022 Circus Educators Conference, presented by the American Circus Educators Association (ACE). I have been attending ACE events since 2015, but this was my first time working on the inside as a staff member and I couldn’t wait for participants to arrive the next morning and for EdCon to officially begin. As I set up merch, posted informational signs, and walked around the studio with Winnie Hsia, Sky Candy’s enthusiastic owner, I became more and more excited. On Friday, the conference started at nine a.m. with a general meet-and-greet. Throughout the three-day event, one hundred and thirty-six attendees ha...